The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is turning 120 years old!

To celebrate, we’re throwing a huge birthday party for August’s First Friday! Join some of the most influential and distinguished Santa Cruz and Watsonville community partners for a night of games, arts and crafts, music, and so much more. Learn about the impacts made by these partners throughout the County and our shared collaborative histories over the years.

As a special treat, there will be a storytime with internationally acclaimed children’s book author, Taylor Lahey. To spotlight the Museum’s commitment to environmental education for all ages, Taylor will be reading his book about youth-driven environmental activism which shows anyone, no matter the age, can make a positive impact in the world! PLUS, this wouldn’t be a party without a FREE dessert station! We’ll have a sweets bar for the kiddos and an open bar for the adults. In addition to the festivities, there will be information on upcoming programs, the opportunity to experience our special redwood exhibit, and to explore special seasonal items in the Gift Shop.

Community Groups and Vendors: Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Sempervirens Fund, Save Our Shores, Sea Otter Savvy, Cabrillo College, UCSC Arboretum, UCSC Geology Department, California Native Plant Society, Santa Cruz Chapter, Seymour Center, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, Pajaro Valley Arts, Coastal Discovery Center, Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, UCSC Genomics Institute

Accessibility: Drop-by anytime 5-8 p.m. to join the festivities! Admission to the Museum is free all day, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Follow the latest guidelines for health and safety. Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the Museum. Booths and activities will be indoors and outdoors. Storytime will be located indoors, with the first reading at 5:30, with an encore reading at 6:30.